Japan ensured the last ever game of any sport to be played at Tokyo’s National Stadium has plenty riding on it as they beat Korea 62-5 at Munhak Stadium on Saturday to go top of the Asian 5 Nations.
The victory – Japan’s 27th straight bonus-point win in the tournament, which started six years ago at the same stadium – sees Eddie Jones’ side with 18 points from three games, the same as Hong Kong, and the two will fight it out next week for Asia’s automatic spot at Rugby World Cup 2015 before the stadium is demolished to make way for a new arena that will make its debut at Rugby World Cup 2019.
“Things got a bit more serious today and they will be even more serious next week,” said Jones. “All we have to do next week is win. We don’t have to play fantastic rugby, though it would be nice as there will be a big crowd. But if we have to grind out a 12-6 win then that’s what we will do.”
Saturday’s win was a milestone for Ayumu Goromaru, who surpassed Keiji Hirose as Japan’s all-time top points scorer. The Japan fullback kicked seven conversions and a penalty to take him to 426 points from 36 tests, passing Hirose who scored 422 from 40 games.
“It’s a fantastic achievement,” Jones said. “Hirose was a world class kicker so for Goro to beat him is fantastic.
Ironically Goromaru started the day missing his first two kicks after Japan’s dominance up front saw Shinya Makabe and Ryu Koliniasi Holani cross in the opening nine minutes.
Captain Michael Leitch touched down in the 18th minute before Japan’s dangerous backs were released to full effect.
Akihito Yamada crossed twice in three minutes – both the result of Yoshikazu Fujita coming off the opposite wing to create the overlap – as Japan secured their bonus point and led 34-0 at the break.
“We set ourselves the target of winning the game in the first 20 minutes and we did that,” Jones said. “I am completely happy with the result but I am not happy with the way we played in the second half.”
That second stanza started well enough for the Brave Blossoms with Holani grabbing his second try and Yamada adding a further two. But the rest of the half saw the hosts dominate possession and their efforts were finally rewarded in the 63rd minute when Jeong Yeon Sik sprinted down the blindside and evaded the tackle of Goromaru to score.
Takashi Kikutani scored his 32nd test match try – the most by any forward in test-match history – to ensure Japan had the last word, however, as they made it 23 wins, 6 losses and a draw against their arch rivals.
“We weren’t really tested so it is difficult to know how we stand heading into next week,” said Jones. “But I was pleased with the continuing development of the set piece.”
Leitch admitted the second half hadn’t been so good but hoped the team would be able to use it to their advantage.
“In the second half our communication was not good and that’s a real problem the way we play,” he said. “The links between the players weren’t good. But it’s good we found the problem now before we play Hong Kong. If we can play like we train then we will put them away nice and proper.”
